Passaic Valley High School student recognized for her service

By TINA PAPPAS

STAFF WRITER |

Passaic Valley Today

LITTLE FALLS – A Passaic Valley High School student received a very special honor recently.

Eunice Park, a Passaic Valley High School senior, was recently chosen as a finalist in the Wallenberg Honor Program. Pictured is Eunice flanked by her sister Janice, Ray Rotella, principal, and Dr. Viktor Joganow, superintendent.

Eunice Park, a senior, was recognized by the Wallenberg Honor Program, which is sponsored by the Wallenberg Foundation of New Jersey, Inc. and honors students from several counties in the state.

The program was named after Raoul Wallenberg, a wealthy Swedish diplomat, who is credited from rescuing 100,000 Jews from certain death in World War II. The program recognizes students who have "acted with courage and compassion in their service to others."

According to Ray Rotella, principal, high schools statewide submit an application on the student’s behalf. The student then submits all of his or her accomplishments to the foundation for consideration as a finalist.

"Eunice is truly an outstanding young woman who is an inspiration to many, not only throughout our school, but to her community as well," said Rotella. "Our school nominated her because she has achieved so much in such a short amount of time through her volunteer work, including on her mission trips to the Dominican Republic, Alaska, Korea and Philadelphia. She is one individual with thoughts, ideas and dreams hoping to create a powerful ‘one’ or ‘oneness’ for the future of our society, which is what the philosophy behind this honor is about."

Eunice said she initially had no idea that she was nominated by the high school.

"My guidance counselor had all my extra-curricular information and resume background due to my college applications and supplied the foundation with it," she explained. "The Wallenberg theme stresses the importance of unity in society and the theme of oneness and I feel I have that in mind with the volunteer work I’ve done for the past four years. My missionary trips have been very rewarding as well."

During her missionary trip to the Dominican Republic, she served in the outskirts of Santo Domingo in a poverty stricken village for 160 hours, among other tasks. She also did construction work and served as a dental assistant. While in Alaska, she volunteered for 182 hours where she served at a local soup kitchen, collected garbage and helped renovate a building. She was also elected to teach academic classes and crafts to young children. While in Philadelphia, she conducted a vacation bible school for local children with parents away at work and living in impoverished conditions.

"I also visited Seoul, Korea, during a two-month stay where I was a project team leader and traveled throughout the city and countryside visiting middle schools and high schools to measure carotenoid scores of students for a research paper," she added. Her research paper was entered into Young Science Achiever’s Program.

Eunice, who is also a singer and pianist, continued the theme of unity and oneness by recently creating a nonprofit organization called "Making the World a Better Place One Song at a Time" with her younger sister Janice, who also sings.

Eunice, along with other finalists of the Wallenberg Honors Program, attended a ceremony at Parsippany High School in early May. She received a $100 scholarship check, along with a plaque. She was accepted into New York University and will be attending this fall. She plans to take courses in pre-med and may pursue psychology.

"My biggest inspiration, by far, is my mother who suffers from Lupus. I feel suffering is just a step in the journey of life and hope to teach and create hope within the lives of many that they must overcome these obstacles. My ultimate dream is to unify our medical system into one. Through holistic medicine, I hope to establish a foundation in order to help human beings holistically."

Passaic Valley High School student recognized for her service

Eunice Park, a Passaic Valley High School senior, was recently chosen as a finalist in the Wallenberg Honor Program. Pictured is Eunice flanked by her sister Janice, Ray Rotella, principal, and Dr. Viktor Joganow, superintendent.

By TINA PAPPAS

STAFF WRITER |

Passaic Valley Today

LITTLE FALLS – A Passaic Valley High School student received a very special honor recently.

Eunice Park, a senior, was recognized by the Wallenberg Honor Program, which is sponsored by the Wallenberg Foundation of New Jersey, Inc. and honors students from several counties in the state.

The program was named after Raoul Wallenberg, a wealthy Swedish diplomat, who is credited from rescuing 100,000 Jews from certain death in World War II. The program recognizes students who have "acted with courage and compassion in their service to others."

According to Ray Rotella, principal, high schools statewide submit an application on the student’s behalf. The student then submits all of his or her accomplishments to the foundation for consideration as a finalist.

"Eunice is truly an outstanding young woman who is an inspiration to many, not only throughout our school, but to her community as well," said Rotella. "Our school nominated her because she has achieved so much in such a short amount of time through her volunteer work, including on her mission trips to the Dominican Republic, Alaska, Korea and Philadelphia. She is one individual with thoughts, ideas and dreams hoping to create a powerful ‘one’ or ‘oneness’ for the future of our society, which is what the philosophy behind this honor is about."

Eunice said she initially had no idea that she was nominated by the high school.

"My guidance counselor had all my extra-curricular information and resume background due to my college applications and supplied the foundation with it," she explained. "The Wallenberg theme stresses the importance of unity in society and the theme of oneness and I feel I have that in mind with the volunteer work I’ve done for the past four years. My missionary trips have been very rewarding as well."

During her missionary trip to the Dominican Republic, she served in the outskirts of Santo Domingo in a poverty stricken village for 160 hours, among other tasks. She also did construction work and served as a dental assistant. While in Alaska, she volunteered for 182 hours where she served at a local soup kitchen, collected garbage and helped renovate a building. She was also elected to teach academic classes and crafts to young children. While in Philadelphia, she conducted a vacation bible school for local children with parents away at work and living in impoverished conditions.

"I also visited Seoul, Korea, during a two-month stay where I was a project team leader and traveled throughout the city and countryside visiting middle schools and high schools to measure carotenoid scores of students for a research paper," she added. Her research paper was entered into Young Science Achiever’s Program.

Eunice, who is also a singer and pianist, continued the theme of unity and oneness by recently creating a nonprofit organization called "Making the World a Better Place One Song at a Time" with her younger sister Janice, who also sings.

Eunice, along with other finalists of the Wallenberg Honors Program, attended a ceremony at Parsippany High School in early May. She received a $100 scholarship check, along with a plaque. She was accepted into New York University and will be attending this fall. She plans to take courses in pre-med and may pursue psychology.

"My biggest inspiration, by far, is my mother who suffers from Lupus. I feel suffering is just a step in the journey of life and hope to teach and create hope within the lives of many that they must overcome these obstacles. My ultimate dream is to unify our medical system into one. Through holistic medicine, I hope to establish a foundation in order to help human beings holistically."